HOARY PAST

ORISSA lies on the eastern coast along the Bay of Bengal. The state once formed a part of the Kalinga kingdom which is best known in ancient history for its brave resistance against the invasion of the Mauryan King Asoka in the 3^rd century B.C., who ultimately conquered it. That the emperor turned to Buddhism and peace after witnessing the bloodshed in this war is well known. This also formed the turning point in the history of Orissa giving a boost to art and architecture in the ancient kingdom.

The ancient state rose to prominence as a kingdom under Kharavela, a great conqueror and patron of Jainism, in the second half of the 1^st century B. C. Other great rulers were the kings of the Kesari dynasty and the Eastern Ganga dynasty who were also great builders. 

The Kalinga school of architecture flourished from the 7^th to the 13^th century A. D. The most important monuments of this period can be seen in and around Bhubaneswar and Puri. The Lingaraja Temple (Bhubaneswar), Jagannath Temple (Puri) and the Sun Temple (Konark) are some of the finest temples of this period. Few temples can compete with the beauty of the sculptures of Orissan temples.

In fact, the entire length and breadth of the state is dotted with 4,000 monuments and archaeological sites. They include early Jaina caves and temple; Buddhist monasteries (viharas), domed structures (chaityas), and pillars (stupas); Hindu temple; mosques, churches; ancient and medieval forts, palaces and colonial architecture.